Hall of Fame
Ralph Lundeen arrived at Macalester in autumn of 1954; when he left about 30 years later he had established himself as one of the school's most successful coaches and athletic administrators.
A Minneapolis native and Edison High School graduate, Lundeen attended the University of Minnesota. After time out for Air Force service, he lettered in football under Bernie Bierman. Successful high school and college coaching stints followed in North Dakota, Washington, and South Dakota.
He was hired by Macalester in 1954 and made an immediate impact, assisting Dwight Stuessy in football and leading the swimming and track programs, with special success in track.
When Stuessy, the well-respected football and basketball coach, died after a basketball game in 1957, Lundeen became athletic director and head football coach. Following Stuessy (still the school's all-time winningest football coach) was surely difficult, but Lundeen's '57 Scots went 6-1-1 and placed second in the MIAC. It was just the second time in Macalester football history that the Scots won as many as six games in a season.
Lundeen gave the controls of the team to assistant Ralph McAlister after the '58 campaign, but continued as athletic director. Under his leadership, the program flourished. The cross country, track, and wrestling teams each won league titles in the late 50s, and the Scots usually won the MIAC All-Sports Trophy. His own golf team dominated the conference, winning the championship ten times between 1957 and 1972. Also during his term, the department's facilities improved; the football stadium was built and tartan surfaces were put down on the outdoor track and in the fieldhouse.
